Etsy Search Function is Defaulting to "Physical"

[MosscapDesigns]

Hello there,

When I am searching for Digital Products in a web browser the search keeps reverting to "Physical Item"?

Is this an issue that tech support is working on,

Thank-you.

[DragonflyDreams1]

I wonder if Etsy is tinkering around with the definition of items to clarify search. I think if a potential buyer is searching for something digital, they know that they should use the term "digitial" or "download". No equivalent is commonly accepted for "physical". If I am searching for a cat sweatshirt I do not search for "physical cat sweatshirt". It seems logical to me to have search separate physical and digital, but Etsy needs to work out the bugs so nothing reverts that was previously selected unless you are performing a new search. I would assume each new search query would need digital selected, but physical would be the default. It sure would cut down the number of unhappy customers who expected a physical product to be received.

[DragonflyDreams1]

To clarify, I believe that Etsy should require the customer to select between physical, digital, POD, and AI when they search. It would narrow the search to what the customer is looking for and weed out the "noise" that is so overwhelming.

[audreytherese]

I interpreted what Josh said in the announcement to be something right along those lines. 

"We're also excited to add more options to the listing form for sharing details about your processes, materials, and tools. 

I want to stress that this is just the start of our work to elevate your role in our marketplace. We’re also exploring how to highlight it in areas, such as search, discovery, and new marketing experiences. We believe this will better meet buyer expectations and help them find the exact type of item they’re looking for—from artisanal pieces crafted by your two hands to production-assisted items personalized to perfection. "

[Hertfordweaver]

Is there a digital filter for search? That might help. I just looked and there is a filter for digital and physical.

[MosscapDesigns]

Thanks everyone - My issue is that the filter is not working on my web browser, and keeps autochanging to "physical".

I have seen in facebook groups that other people are also having this technical issue.

[PsychicDino]

IF this is not a bug and i hope it is - then it is a bad move from Etsy as even I when searching for my listings didnt notice the default setting now being physical - it should be something the customer uses with interaction and not set to a pre set default. Now anyone who is listing digital products are by default loosing placement. I noticed my own traffic today has plummeted - and can see the reason why. I suppose im lucky in that I have a lot of regular clients but still if it stays this way it will really effect digital. The filters should not be preset to anything - but with Etsy who knows these days.

[BrownDogPrintables]

It is happening to me also. They have my search set automatically to Physical and even when I go into settings and try to change it to All or Digital, it immediately reverts back to Physical.  I tried X'ing out the Physical and it just pops back in place.  I really hope this is a bug and that it gets fixed quickly! 

[Amaradorn]

If the search terms includes any of the following words then the 'physical item' filter is not automatically applied:

Download, digital, svg, vector, png 

[PsychicDino]

HI yes but not everyone will use such terms - and since this change - traffic has fallen away as I am all digital. This really could crush a lot of digital stores - pre set filters are a bad thing all around. I hope this is a glitch or test from etsy and not the new default.

[BrownDogPrintables]

That is not correct in my case. I was just searching for "digital xxxxx" and it still defaulted and is stuck on Physical. 

[UStamp2]

Etsy's search is way out of whack! Trying to list items and put in canister for a category search and it came up with sex toys-dildos??? It is like a crap shoot on what to put in so that the category you want will come up. I am at a complete loss and my views and sales are way down the past couple of days. Wish they would fix it quickly! 

[After9Marbles]

Were they one of the newly "sourced by" items for parties? The more I think about it anything can be a party item.